The Wizard character in The Wizard of Oz movie was a con artist who fooled people with his lies and fakery. People thought he was “divine” because he descended from the sky in a balloon. Deceitful manipulation is never authentic leadership. Authentic, principled, intelligent leaders are not “me-centric;” they put “we” before “me.” Authentic leaders…

Generations of all ages have loved “The Wizard of Oz” since 1939. Dorothy seeks a way home, the Scarecrow a brain, the Tin Man a heart, and the Cowardly Lion courage. These caring companions unite their attributes to approach the Wizard and help each other. Generations of all ages, let’s unite our “brains, hearts, and…

On Thanksgiving Day, many will gather with family and friends to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal and express gratitude. Gratitude abounds. For example, millions of people from neighborhoods, faith communities, and organizations of all sizes and titles come together to provide life-sustaining food for infants, children, teens, adults, and the elderly who encounter life challenges…

The “3-Rs of Civility” weren’t always practiced during the Constitutional Convention. However, the Founders demonstrated the 3-Rs in the outcome—the willingness to compromise for the greater good. • Respect: listen with open minds to each other’s viewpoints and compromise • Restraint: refrain from behaving like bullies and calling each other rude names • Responsible: create…

The Institute for Civility responded to the 9/24/2025 New York Times Guest Essay, “Civility Is a Fantasy.” See comments for links to the full originals. “Unless this country embraces the freedoms of the Constitution AND disagreement AND authentic civility, we will never be the country our forebearers hoped we would be. Civility is the very…

In a speech titled, “Civility and Freedom of Speech,” new Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist delivered these words in a Spring 1973 Law Day address at Indiana University: “An atmosphere of civility is an indirect assurance of continuing to maintain the broad based support of this liberty in its fullest form in the minds and…